Text:
http://www.africanews.org/central/congo-kinshasa/stories/19981208_feat1.html
Source App: [Journalist arrested in Matadi - Netscape]
ournalist arrested in Matadi
December 8, 1998
Toronto - The following document was released by Reporters sans fronti=E8res
(RSF), Paris: RSF is protesting the arrest of a journalist in Matadi (Lower
-Congo region). According to RSF's information, Mbakulu Pambu Diambu, president
of the local division of the Congolese Press Union (Union de la presse du Congo,
UPC) and journalist with the private station Radio-television Matadi (RTM) was
arrested at the end of November 1998.
He is detained at the offices of the National Information Agency (Agence nationale de renseignements) in Matadi and has been brought before the Kinshasa military court, where he will soon be tried for breach of state security. The journalist is accused of having hosted a television show in which he welcomed representatives of the rebellion as his guests, who were active, at the time, in that part of the country.
RSF also recalls that two other journalists are currently detained in Kinshasa. Albert Bonsange Yema, 54, who suffers from diabetes, is still detained, having been sentenced on 21 May to twelve months imprisonment and a heavy fine for breach of state security. He is editor of "L'Alarme" newspaper. Jean Jose Monzango Akonga, 65, journalist with "L'Alarme", is also still detained, having been sentenced on 20 November to pay US$50 bail.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Send appeals to the President: - asking him to ensure that Mbakulu Pambu gets a
fair and impartial trial before a civil court - without commenting on the
details of the case, urging him to immediately and unconditionally release the
journalist should this matter be related to a violation of press laws -
reminding him that the Democratic Republic of Congo has ratified the
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, Article 19 of which
guarantees the free flow of information - asking him to respect the agreements
pledged by his country to the international community and ensure that others
also respect these agreements - urging him to do everything in his power to
ensure the journalists' unconditional release
APPEALS TO:
Mr. Laurent-Desire Kabila President of the Republic Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo
Fax your letters of protest care of the DRC diplomatic representative in your country.
(in France) Embassy of the Democratic Republic of Congo Fax: +33 1 42 89 80 09
(in Canada) Embassy of the Democratic Republic of Congo 18 Range Road Ottawa, Ontario K1N 8J3 Canada Fax: +1 613 747 9152
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
For further information, contact Jean-Fran=E7ois Julliard or Frederic Lesain at RSF, rue Geoffroy Marie, Paris 75009, France, tel: +33 1 44 83 84 84, fax: +33 1 45 23 11 51, e-mail: afrique@rsf.fr, Internet:=
The information contained in this action alert and update is the sole responsibility of RSF. In citing this material for broadcast or publication, please credit RSF.
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